Matthews Bridge, Spanning Loch Raven Reservoir on Dulaney Valley Road, Baltimore, Independent City, MD

Significance: In 1908 the General Assembly empowered the city of Baltimore to establish a reservoir in the valley of the Gunpowder River in Baltimore County. On May 1, 1913, an agreement was entered into between the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore and the County Commissioners of Baltimore County, sitting as the Highway Commission of Baltimore County. According to this agreement, creation of the reservoir would necessitate removing the Meredith Ford Bridge and part of what is now known as the Dulaney Valley Road. The city agreed to construct and maintain a new bridge in place of the Meredith Ford Bridge. Originally known as the Mann's Hill Bridge, it was called the Matthews Bridge at the time of its demolition and served as the crossing for Maryland Route 146 over Loch Raven Reservoir. The State Highway Administration maintained jurisdiction of the bridge' approach roadways. Originally the bridge was designed to carry a fifteen ton load, less than half of the legal limit in Maryland at the time of the bridge's demolition. During the 1950's, the posted limitations were reduced to twelve tons, and by the 1970s had been further reduced to a seven ton limit.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-23
Survey number: HAER MD-68
Building/structure dates: 1914 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1978 Demolished